Chanthu, a poor orphan and Aromal are cousins and belong to the Chekavar clan, a warrior clan who rent themselves out as duellers to settle disputes among the many wealthy and highly effective. Aromal, jealous of the far more proficient Chanthu, makes life depressing for him and Chanthu decides to go away and reside with Aringodar, a rival chekavan, as his pupil. When the 2 sons of an area landlord have a property dispute and determine to rent Aromal and Aringodar to duel it out, Chanthu has to determine the place his loyalty lies - with the household of the uncle who introduced him up or with Aringodar who offered him with sanctuary.
